My Adventures in Linux Server Migration

It’s been a tough couple of weeks with all my projects going up and down several times a day – but I think I’m seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

I’m talking about the Tour de Force of migrating my websites to a new server.

Gone are the days of a flaky virtual server and the limitations that come with it, while the glorious Dedicated Server Days can begin. I’ve moved from a long time partnership with Easyspace to 1&1 – and that’s only because they were cheaper on the dedicated server front. You hear, Easyspace? I’d still be with you if it wasn’t for your prices!

Why would I do such a thing, compromising everything that’s dear to me in one swoop?

Easy really: I’ve rapidly outgrown the older smaller v-server package. It’s quite frightening to think that one year ago, I was rapidly outgrowing several shared hosting package due to ever increasing traffic on all my sites, and now it’s already time for the next step.

I haven’t got concrete figures here, but last time I’ve checked, I’m pulling in over 6000 unique visitors a month across all sites, which kept putting an ever increasing strain on the server. This in turn lead to crashes of increasing frequency, until the sites were down more than they were up.

Even though it’s eating a hole into my pocket, it seemed wise to upgrade capacity and streamline the big websites at the same time.

I stuck to Plesk 9.2.2 under Linux (CenOS 64bit now instead of 32bit, on AMD hardware instead of Intel). I’ve also installed Donncha O’Caoimh’s excellent WP Super Cache on most sites, which seemed to have helped improve site performance a lot. Thanks, Donncha!

What got lost on my “Tour de Server” was the fact that I couldn’t do much else while I was migrating: no blogging, no uploading new pictures, and very limited creativity. It goes to show how important it is for me to have an outlet like this, and not to be able to use it when I want for what I want isn’t good. Interesting!

Add to that the stress of not really knowing what I’m doing, and the words “pleasant time” don’t quite describe my experiences. However, I’ve learnt a lot – and I’m happy to share my experiences in forthcoming installments.

The old v-server is still serving this website, which is a beast to move, and I might leave it here on its own for a little while longer. It means that should the new server crash, versluis.com will still be up – a reassuring thought.

In other news, I’ve already cycled over 200km on my super pink Saracen Pylon bike! It’s not even 4 weeks old and I’m loving it to pieces – to punctures even, as I’ve had my first one this week. Slightly disappointed about those “impenetrable” Schwalbe Big Apple tyres I have to say! I’ll be keeping my eye on them.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have some breakfast, before going for a ride with my lady 😉